The Wolverine, Man of Steel, Dredd: August 14th Comic Reel

As Spinoff Online points out, the film will have no connection to the previous "X-Men" flick with Wolverine in the title. "We've deliberately not called it 'Wolverine 2' because we want it to be placed and feel like a standalone picture," said actor Hugh Jackman to Total Film. "With an all-new cast and setting it in Japan, it's going to give us a whole new visual aesthetic." Let's face it, this is the "Wolverine" movie everybody wanted to begin with, right?

SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL

Various sites are pointing to this item at Geek Files that seems to confirm that the classic John Williams theme will not be used in the film. While talking to Total Film (must be in the print edition as a link to the quote is absent), the director said, "We decided to act as if no 'Superman' film had been made - even though we love the films that have been made ... We had to say this is a 'Superman' movie for the first time and you can't then go 'Oh, now let's steal a little music.' So, yes it's awesome music but Hans Zimmer is going to do something awesome." I suppose that's fair. Still, it's the one thing I'd like to see carried over from version to version.

According to MTV News, possible director Joe Carnahan's Hail Mary play for the franchise may have fumbled. They point out this Twitter post from the director in which he writes, "Think my idea for a certain retro, red-suited, Serpico-styled superhero went up in smoke today kids." Well, that's certainly cryptic. With two months left on Fox's option for the character, the studio has to get a movie into production or the rights revert to Marvel. A similiar situation led to the "Ghost Rider" sequel.

Release date: TBA

ROBOCOP (BEGINS)

Blastr (via Comic Book Movie) points out a round of Twitter posts from HitFix's Drew McWeeny that does not fill me with confidence. He claims to have read the script, which he says made his stomach hurt "very, very badly." RoboCop will be a Transformer, apparently, with a "social mode" and "combat mode." Of the overall quality, he says, "once the script stops all the winky-winky crap and just starts telling a story, it's not terrible. But it's way too late." Ouch.

Release date: TBA

THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS

Warner Premiere, the direct-to-video arm that distributes all the DC Animated Original movies is shuttering, according to The Wrap. In a statement, the studio told the site, "Given the continuing decline in the direct-to-video film market and shifting business models in the production of digital series, the decision was made to close." While the first part of the animated "Dark Knight Returns" is in the pipeline and will be released under the Warner Premiere label, it is unclear how the closing will impact the second half or subsequent DC Animated projects.

Release dates: Part 1, September 25th, 2012; Part 2, TBA

HENCH

As Spinoff Online reported yesterday, Adam Beechen and Manny Bello's "Hench" is being developed drama for NBC. "Battleship" director Peter Berg is developing the series which will center on "a regular guy who, in order to support his family, gets jobs temping for super villains."

"AND I'M CAGE."

Hey, it's Erik Amaya back with you for a couple of days and considering all the news this morning, I wonder what tomorrow will be like. In the meantime, chew on this crazy rumor -- "Expendables 2" producer Avi Lerner claims Cage is joining up for the third installment. While this is far from confirmed, just the notion is too amazing for words. Only one announcment could be better: "Statham. Cage. Crank. 3!" It could happen!

Meanwhile, got any rampant rumors or weird comic book stuff? Be sure to drop us an email or sling us a webline on Twitter!